Community Shareable Storage Stations for Public Space Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public spaces such as parks and athletic venues are underutilized due to the inefficiency of users having to retrieve and return personal equipment from home, which wastes resources and time.
Innovation Solution
A sharable storage system comprising one or more storage stations that communicate with user devices, featuring containers secured by a control module, sensors, and a power supply, allowing users to access and borrow items directly from the storage stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an honor system is used for public places, then security measures are reduced, but item availability and user trust deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated container access where users can retrieve items without human intervention or security personnel. The automated control system manages item distribution and retrieval autonomously, eliminating the need for security measures while maintaining reliable item availability through continuous automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual security management with an automated electronic control system. Instead of relying on human security personnel or simple honor systems, the system uses automated containers with electronic controls to manage item access, ensuring reliable item availability while reducing security complexity.
2Reliability
If privately owned items are housed on public parks, then item security is improved, but public accessibility and space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The automated containers serve multiple functions: they secure items for individual users while simultaneously making them accessible to the general public. The system allows any user to access items through the automated control system, eliminating the limitation of private locker systems while maintaining security through automated management.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system acts as an intermediary between item owners and users. Instead of direct private ownership limiting access, the automated system mediates by managing item distribution and retrieval, ensuring both security and public accessibility through centralized automated control.
3Quantity of substance
If unmanned security measures are implemented, then labor costs are reduced, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service through automated containers that manage their own item distribution and retrieval operations. The automated control system handles all security and access management functions autonomously, eliminating labor costs while the modular container design keeps system complexity manageable through standardized self-contained units.
Data Source
AI summary
The shareable storage system disclosed herein facilitates the shared use of goods among a community of users, efficiently utilizes resources in a community, and increases the community's use and enjoyment of public areas. Apparatuses and methods that improve the manner in which goods are delivered to and received by consumers are also disclosed.An embodiment of a shareable storage system comprises of one or more storage stations adapted to communicate with user devices wherein said communication may be directly, through a server, through a telecommunications network, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a storage station comprises of a structure, one or more containers operably connected to the structure; and a processor operably connected to the one or more containers that controls access to at least one of the one or more containers.The system may further comprise a power supply wherein said power supply may be solar-powered, battery-powered, an electrical grid, or a combination thereof; a plurality of sensors that obtain data wherein said data is used to, for example, operate the storage station, prevent theft, and verify user identities; at least one database on a computer-readable medium containing information regarding users, inventory, properties of the storage station, or a combination thereof; a graphical user interface (“GUI”) operably communicating with the processor wherein the GUI allows a user to select an item stored in the storage station and to obtain the selected items by unlocking one or more containers. In a preferred embodiment, the processor calculates a charge for the temporary use of an item based on information relating to the item, including for example, the length of time the item has held by other users, the number of uses, the unique number of uses, or a combination thereof.